Estate and Trust Administration Attorney

The death of a family member is a difficult time for the loved ones left behind. The need to settle the decedent’s estate while navigating personal loss can feel overwhelming. The help of an experienced estate and trust administration attorney can lift much of this burden off your shoulders and help you and your family move forward.

At Oliver Law P.C., we understand both the personal and practical challenges you are facing when you need to administer a loved one’s estate or trust. For nearly two decades, attorney Robert P. Oliver has devoted his practice exclusively to estate and trust matters, including the administration of large and complex estates and related taxation issues. He guides families, executors, and trustees through every step of the process with both skill and sensitivity. To schedule a consultation, contact Oliver Law, P.C. today.

Estate and Trust Administration Services

Oliver Law, P.C. routinely represents clients with the administration of modest to large trusts and estates. The firm offers the following estate and trust administration services:

Estate Administration

Our comprehensive estate administration services include guiding personal representatives through the probate process, advising them of their responsibilities and helping them to carry out their duties. We offer assistance with:

• Opening a probate estate with the appropriate probate court
• Estate and income tax planning and compliance
• Valuing estate assets as required for probate
• Preparing a complete inventory of all assets of any kind or nature which are subject to probate
• Preparing all required interim reports for the Court and the estate’s beneficiaries during the course of the estate’s administration
• Identifying, prioritizing, and settling legitimate debts of the estate
• Coordinating the distribution of estate assets to beneficiaries
• Preparing Federal and state estate tax returns

Trust Administration

Oliver Law, P.C. advises trustees regarding their fiduciary responsibilities and supports them in their duties by providing a range of services that include:

• Trust interpretation and compliance
• Trust accounting and record-keeping
• Ensuring compliance with income, estate, and gift tax law
• Strategic income distribution to minimize tax burden on beneficiaries
• Coordination with financial advisors regarding asset management, investment oversight, and tax matters relating to the trust

Post-Death Tax Planning

While it is ideal to make tax planning part of the estate planning process, there are still measures that can be taken after a loved one’s death to reduce the tax burden on the estate and beneficiaries, such as:

• Identifying and implementing opportunities to minimize estate and inheritance taxes through post-mortem elections, disclaimers, and redirection of assets
• Strategic use of portability elections for spouses
• Management of highly-appreciated assets
• Trust modification for tax efficiency
• Income tax planning for beneficiaries

Our commitment to our clients includes not just achieving the most favorable outcomes in estate and trust administration, but giving them the comprehensive support and information they need without overwhelming them. We take pride in explaining even the most complex legal concepts in an understandable way, and providing responsive, attentive service at every stage of the administration process.